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In an effort to alert the public about sex offenders and predators, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is launching a website that helps community members search for such criminals in their neighborhoods.

OffenderWatch, a tool used by hundreds of law enforcement agencies nationwide, will give people in San Mateo County access to a map for convicted sex offenders close to their homes, workplaces and schools, sheriff's officials said Friday.

The site will be updated by the sheriff's office as new offender information is available. People can find a map and list of offenders within a 2-mile radius and receive alerts should an offender register an address within that radius, sheriff's officials said.

The site can be accessed by visiting the sheriff's office's website at www.smcsheriff.com and selecting the blue box labeled "Sex Offenders Search" on the homepage.